Mercy Rule

[HLin NC]

Both HC would need to agree to a running clock which is what we have to do in NC as we have no "mercy rule". The problem is we are told not to broach the subject with the losing coach but wait for him to ask for it. Some never ask- either to "teach their kids" or they simply just don't think to do it.

Short of that, a crew can wait for the referee to come to the dead ball spot to analyze if the LTG has been reached before stopping the clock and forward progress in bounds becomes much more prevalent.

I wish we would impose a set rule here but there has been no movement that I've heard of.

[CT1]

No running clock here either. I have had the losing coach ask to shorten the time in the remaining periods, which is usually (but not always) agreed to by the winning coach.

I always remind my crew to work as hard in blowouts as in a tie game, since things can get out of hand quickly. And, my ECO will be watching only me for start/stop on 1st downs, as I'll give the signals back-to-back.

Since both teams will likely be running the ball, we can get these over with in reasonably quick order.

[bigjohn]

My question is this, is getting blown out an emergency? What kind of emergency was this rule written to cover? Maybe darkness on a field with no lights???

I can't think of any other EMERGENCY that might warrant shortening a game and not just ending it abruptly or postponing it.

[JasonLJ]

We have the mercy rule in PA and it's a great rule. I had a game week 2 that ended up 84-12. We had running clock in second half and both coaches agreed to cut the 4th quarter to 6 mins.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

My question is this, is getting blown out an emergency? What kind of emergency was this rule written to cover? Maybe darkness on a field with no lights???

I can't think of any other EMERGENCY that might warrant shortening a game and not just ending it abruptly or postponing it.

Shortening a game and ending it abruptly are the same thing.

[bigjohn]

I meant shortening the quarters.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

I meant shortening the quarters.

Then I agree with you. I can think of no actual "emergency" that would result in the officials or coaches wanting to just shorten the quarters.

Many states have unofficial mercy rules, especially at subV. In Texas, at Varsity, I've never seen or heard of a game shortened or a running clock instituted (exception for 6-man)... but have been involved in numerous subV games where the clock ran in the 4th quarter or even 2nd half.

[voiceoflg]

In Georgia the mercy rule is as follows:

At the end of the first half of play, if a team is trailing by 30 points or more, the coach of the trailing team may choose to play the second half with a running clock. Quarters would remain at 12 minutes.

If the coach does not exercise the option of the running clock, the third quarter will be played with regulation timing.

If the point differential reaches, or remains, 30 or more points during the third quarter, the clock will still run according to rule for the remainder of the third quarter, but the fourth quarter will have a running clock mandated.

A running clock means the clock will be stopped only: (a) after a score and until the ball is kicked off. (b) during deliberations for penalty administration. (c) during charged timeouts or official's timeouts.

A game that is reduced in time by use of a running clock shall constitute a "completed" game to meet other by-law considerations.


The leading coach has no say so. Personally I don't like the running clock in the third quarter. It really limits the snaps the younger kids get.

[Rich]

We have a 35 point running clock rule in the second half. Works well, I think. Ours runs during penalty administration, unlike Georgia. And we take full advantage of that, when it feels necessary.